Latest news with #Alderson
Jordan News
15-07-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Feeling Stressed? Eat These Foods to Control Cortisol Levels - Jordan News
Cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's balance and stability. It regulates our wake-sleep cycle—boosting alertness in the morning—and coordinates with other hormones to maintain vital bodily rhythms. اضافة اعلان Cortisol also helps manage blood sugar levels, oversees essential metabolic processes, regulates fluid and electrolyte balance, and enhances immune response. The Downside of Chronic Cortisol Elevation When cortisol levels remain elevated for long periods, they place excessive strain on the body. Chronic high cortisol is strongly linked to: Cardiovascular disease Stroke Type 2 diabetes Endocrine disorders Increased risk of obesity Muscle mass deterioration It also disrupts sleep quality, drains energy levels, worsens dizziness, and triggers mood swings. For this reason, keeping cortisol in check is essential for overall health. Nutrition and hormone expert Hannah Alderson, author of Everything I Know About Hormones, explains: 'Cortisol affects the entire body—it wakes you up, increases blood sugar when needed, and regulates metabolism. It's essential for overall health.' However, Alderson emphasizes that prolonged high levels of cortisol can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, endocrine dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and muscle breakdown. Gut Health and Cortisol Cortisol is closely linked to gut health. Studies show that increasing the presence of beneficial gut bacteria can help regulate cortisol levels, while poor gut health can contribute to inflammation and elevated cortisol. According to The Telegraph, certain foods can help lower cortisol levels naturally. These include: Foods That Help Lower Cortisol 1. Yogurt A 150g serving of plain natural yogurt is a rich source of probiotics—beneficial bacteria that have been shown to help reduce cortisol levels, likely by decreasing gut inflammation. 2. Walnuts Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and healthy unsaturated fats that support brain health and reduce inflammation. One study found that regular omega-3 intake helped lower overall cortisol levels. 3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Compared to regular olive oil, extra virgin olive oil is more effective in managing stress. It's packed with unsaturated fats and antioxidants that reduce inflammation and stress in the body. 4. Canned Mackerel or Sardines It's recommended to eat two servings of fish per week—one being oily fish. Oily fish like mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3s that help reduce cortisol and inflammation. Sardines also contain vitamin B12, which improves recovery after stress. Mackerel provides niacin and selenium, which support hormone balance. 5. Oats Oats contain tryptophan, an amino acid that boosts serotonin (the 'happiness hormone'). They're also high in fiber, helping to stabilize blood sugar by releasing glucose slowly—both of which help reduce stress. 6. Cashew Butter Cashew butter is a great source of protein, unsaturated fats, and micronutrients, especially magnesium, which soothes the nervous system and regulates cortisol production. 7. Kiwi Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, which supports adrenal gland function—the glands responsible for cortisol production. Eating the kiwi with its peel also adds fiber, promoting gut health. 8. Broccoli and Spinach Green vegetables are powerful tools for regulating cortisol. They are packed with: Magnesium Folate Other stress-regulating vitamins Broccoli is also high in vitamin C and contains sulforaphane, an anti-inflammatory compound. Spinach stands out for its magnesium content—100g of spinach provides about 75mg of magnesium, making it one of the richest vegetables in this mineral. Final Thought Managing cortisol doesn't require drastic changes—just a few adjustments to your diet can help your body handle stress more effectively. Prioritizing gut-friendly, anti-inflammatory, and nutrient-rich foods is a simple and natural step toward better mental and physical well-being.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mum died of sepsis after 'GP said it was ear infection and prescribed a spray'
A coroner has called for more to be done to spot the warning signs of Sepsis after Charlotte Alderson's tragic death A mum-of-three died of sepsis after she was diagnosed by a GP as having an ear infection and sent home with a topical spray to treat it, an inquest heard. Two days later, having called an ambulance, a medic failed to notice a blue tinge on Charlotte Alderson's lips and said she didn't need to go to hospital as her symptoms were 'generally within normal range'. The swimming instructor, from Suffolk, collapsed an hour later and despite the efforts of paramedics died at her home. Her inquest heard she had suffered from multi-organ failure due to septic shock, due to the bacterial infection Strep A. Now, Darren Stewart - area coroner for Suffolk - has called for the 'expeditious development' of measures which assist medics in the early identification and treatment of sepsis. The inquest was told that Mrs Alderson first reported feeling unwell on December 17, 2022. Some two days later, she visited her GP surgery, but medical professionals observed that her symptoms were 'within normal range'. A clinical scoring system, called Centor, to test for Strep A was used but this indicated that no antibiotics were required. Mrs Alderson was diagnosed with an outer ear infection and was given a prescription for a topical antibiotic spray. The swimming instructor was told to return to her GP if her symptoms worsened. On December 20, Mrs Alderson reported feeling better, but then in the evening her condition deteriorated and she suffered bouts of sickness and diarrhoea throughout the night. The following morning, at around 11am, her husband Stuart Alderson checked on her and observed a 'blue tinge' on her lips. He called 111 and an ambulance was dispatched. While the service was en route, Mrs Alderson's symptoms again worsened, which prompted Mr Alderson to make an additional call to 999. The ambulance arrived at 11:57am and a senior emergency medical technician carried out a clinical assessment on Mrs Alderson. The responder did not see blue-tinged lips and found that apart from a 'slightly elevated' temperature and heart rate, observations were 'generally within normal range'. The coroner said: "With no requirement identified for immediate hospitalisation, the ambulance left at 13:15." "Mrs Alderson's conditioned worsened further and her husband left to purchase pain relief. Upon his return, he found Mrs Alderson in a state of collapse. She was unconscious but breathing." Mr Alderson immediately called 999 at 14:09 and during this call, his wife had stopped breathing. An ambulance arrived at 14:26 and despite attempts to resuscitate Mrs Alderson, the swimming instructor sadly passed away. A post-mortem examination carried out after her death revealed she had group A streptococcus, a common type of bacteria infection. A jury inquest concluded Mrs Alderson died of natural causes. The medical cause of death was multi-organ failure due to septic shock, arising from the rapid progression of a bacterial infection into the bloodstream. Mr Stewart said he has several 'matters of concern' regarding the circumstances of Mrs Alderson's death. He said there are two scoring systems - Feverpain and Centor - used by clinicians to assess infections in patients and these can produce different outcomes. The coroner said: "It is possible in Mrs Alderson's case that the use of the Feverpain scoring system (as opposed to Centor) may have made a difference by indicating a prescription for antibiotics, which if taken on the day she was assessed by her GP, may have resulted in a different outcome. "There is a need to review these scoring systems, drawing upon the most effective elements of each, with a view to providing guidance on a single scoring system that can consistently be applied by clinicians." He continued: "Evidence received during the Inquest indicated that a number of existing measures within the National Health Service are capable of modification to provide testing tools for the early identification of sepsis/risk of sepsis and which would better inform decisions to prescribe antibiotics. These include CRP, finger prick and lateral flow tests. "The risks associated with sepsis and the speed with which a rapid deterioration can occur in patients without clear warning signs of sepsis being present, are well known. There is therefore a need for the expeditious development of measures which assist clinicians in the early identification and treatment of sepsis." The coroner also raised concerns about the system used by 111 call handlers. This was after hearing of how it can fail on occasion and mean that ambulances need to be booked manually over the phone rather than automatically.
Edinburgh Reporter
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Alderson puts pen to paper for Flyers
London-born Mason Alderson has become Fife Flyers second signing under the new regime at The Fife Ice Arena. The British forward comes to the Kingdom following a two year, two-way stint between National Ice Hockey League side Solway Sharks and Elite League Champions, Belfast Giants. He has logged three appearances for Giants. The 23-year-old registered more than a point a game icing for Sharks last term, registering 21 goals and 28 assists in 43 appearances for the Dumfries side. And 6ft 3in Alderson said he is excited to be joining the Flyers. The player added: 'From what I've heard, it's a great organisation with a passionate fan base and a rich hockey history. I just can't wait to get started and play in front of the Flyers faithful.' He joins highly-rated netminder, Shane Owen, in the line-up and he started his career playing junior hockey between Romford, Guildford and Chelmsford. He then moved to North America, joining the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) side Islanders Hockey Club ahead of the 2018/19 season. Alderson went on to represent Berwick Academy, Hoosac School, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights and Castleton University before making the switch back to Britain. The Great Britain under-18 and under-20 player has accumulated 28 points in 20 appearances for his country. Included in those statistics are impressive numbers in 2018 when he was part of the under-18 Championship, Division II, Group A, winning side during the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World tournament in Estonia. He led the team in scoring with nine points (six goals and three assists) in five games and he was voted the tournament's best forward. Alderson was then named Great Britain's captain at the 2019 IIHF World under-18 Championship, Division I, Group B, tournament in Hungary. Max Birbraer, Flyers' president and general manager, said: 'When we heard Mason was still available we made an immediate move as it's absolutely vital for us to start building a core of British players and re-establishing ourselves as a balanced group. 'Mason is a young, talented, hard-nosed player who is an absolute pain in the opposition's back side. He fits our team template perfectly.' PICTURE: Alderson (right) in action for Belfast v Fife. Credit Wiliam Cherry/Press Eye and Elite League Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Festival Fringe in danger of becoming 'one monologue festival' due to soaring costs
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The head of a major Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue has warned the event is in danger of becoming a 'one monologue festival' due to the soaring costs of performing in the Scottish capital. Speaking on Thursday at the launch of Love the Fringe, a cross-venue membership scheme created to attract financial support to the festival, Pleasance director Anthony Alderson insisted 'we need to re-examine the [Fringe] model" as artists scale back shows due to affordability. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He warned it had "never been more expensive to bring a show to the Fringe" and said producers were bringing smaller casts, cutting the length of runs and had "less technical ambition" because of the rising costs of accommodation in the city. Mr Alderson, who revealed he had got his first job at the Fringe when he was 15 - having lied about his age - warned 'people are swapping production values for somewhere to sleep'. He said: 'It has never been more expensive to bring work to the Fringe. Costs have soared - accommodation, travel, marketing, everything. And something has to give. We have to re-examine the model. Anthony Alderson warned performing at the Fringe is becoming too expensive, | EdFest 'We're seeing more shows, but shorter runs. Smaller casts, less technical ambition. People are swapping production values for somewhere to sleep. We're losing job opportunities for emerging talent, both on and off stage. If we're not careful, we'll become a one-person monologue festival. That's not good for artists. That's not good for audiences. And it's not good for this city.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Alderson added: 'This isn't just entertainment. It's cultural identity. And yes - it's getting harder to sustain. Pleasance director Anthony Alderson | Contributed 'Culture is our soft power. If we want to push back against populism and division, the arts are one of our best hopes. This isn't something we add on to life — this is life. It's the fabric of a healthy society. Lose that and we lose something essential. Big stadium concerts at Murrayfield might be exciting — but they miss the point.' Mr Alderson called on local businesses to support the Fringe. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anthony Alderson is director of the Pleasance. | EdFest He said: 'That's why we launched Love the Fringe - because this work matters. And it needs to be supported - properly. Funded, respected. But by whom? 'We're calling on local businesses - you benefit from the Fringe, you have a stake in its future. The city's hotels, bars, taxis and restaurants flourish every August. So let's not take this for granted. Let's invest in the artists who make it all possible. The success of the Fringe is the success of Edinburgh.' Mr Alderson also called for more state financial support, particularly from Arts Council England. The Fringe Society earlier this year was given multi-year funding from Scottish Government-funded arts body Creative Scotland. He said: 'International support is flowing in. Countries around the world recognise the global value of this festival. But one country is noticeably absent: England. Where is Arts Council England in all of this? Why is the nation that benefits most from this platform not stepping up to help sustain it?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Love the Fringe, launched last year, was created to boost visibility for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, champion artists and offer a win-win model for both audiences and performers.
The Herald Scotland
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh's one-person show warning over Fringe costs crisis
Mr Alderson warned that Edinburgh was in danger of being left with a festival of "monologues" without a rethink over support from the event from the city council and local businesses. Read more: He suggested that performers were 'swapping production values for somewhere to sleep' when it came to deciding what to prioritise their Fringe spending on. Mr Alderson also warned that there were declining opportunities - on and off stage - for emerging talent to break through at the festival, which will mark its 80th anniversary in 2027. This year's Fringe line-up is on the track to be the third biggest in the history of the Fringe, which dates back to 1947, in terms of the number of shows in the line-up. That has gone up from 3317 to 3352 since last year, while are three more venues in the 2025 line-up than in 2024. However the overall number of performances has dropped from 51,446 to 49,521 in the space of 12 months and is down more than 10,000 on the biggest Fringe to date, in 2019, the year before the pandemic shut down the festival. Mr Alderson, who was speaking as the biggest Fringe venues launched their annual joint marketing campaign, said it was 'miraculous' that the festival was able to go ahead every year. He said this was down to artists taking the 'brave' decision to 'risk their time, their money and their heart' to put their work in front of audiences. He suggested it was wrong to measure the success of the Fringe by the size of its programme, adding: 'What's happening behind the scenes tells a different story.' He said: 'It has never been more expensive to bring work to the Fringe. Costs have soared -accommodation, travel, marketing, everything. And something has to give. We have to re-examine the model. "We're seeing more shows, but shorter runs. Smaller casts. Less technical ambition. People are swapping production values for somewhere to sleep. "We're losing job opportunities for emerging talent, both on and off stage. If we're not careful, we'll become a one-person monologue festival. That's not good for artists. That's not good for audiences. And it's not good for this city. "And yet - despite it all - artists still come. This year, we'll see work from across the globe. Work that moves us, that surprises us, that makes us laugh, cry, fall in love. That pushes boundaries, challenges assumptions, and reflects who we are and who we want to be. 'This isn't just entertainment. It's cultural identity. And it's getting harder to sustain. 'Not because we lack talent or vision. But because of cost. The cost of being here, of producing work, of reaching audiences. It's becoming unsustainable. 'We may be a small country, but we have enormous potential. Culture is our soft power. If we want to push back against populism and division, the arts are one of our best hopes. 'This festival dares. It provokes. It heals. It makes us see each other more clearly. This isn't something we add on to life—this is life. It's the fabric of a healthy society. Lose that and we lose something essential.' Mr Alderson suggested the city council was making it harder and more expensive to put on the Fringe and called for local businesses in Edinburgh to show more support for the festival. He added: "The city's hotels, bars, taxis, and restaurants flourish every August. So let's not take this for granted. Let's invest in the artists who make it all possible. The success of the Fringe is the success of Edinburgh. "The venues, the Fringe Society, the city council, Edinburgh University - we need to work together. Artists need clarity, simplicity, and support. Not bureaucracy and barriers."
